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Science News Archive August 2014


Page 5 of 31

Center for Leadership in Disability awarded $600,000 grant

The Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University has received a $600,000 grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to implement the Autism Plan for Georgia. The plan aims to increase awareness, access, and coordination of services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Nanodiamonds are forever

Scientists have found abundant nanodiamonds distributed across three continents, providing conclusive evidence of a 13,000-year-old cosmic impact. The discovery supports a hypothesis linking the impact to the mass extinction of megafauna in North America.

Better classification to improve treatments for breast cancer

Researchers developed a genomic-based system, IntClust, to classify breast cancer subtypes with high accuracy. The new system identified previously unnoticed subgroups of tumors, including those resistant to treatment, potentially leading to early detection and targeted therapies.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Bronze Age wine cellar found

A Bronze Age wine cellar was uncovered at an ancient Canaanite palace in modern-day Israel, showcasing wine residue from over 40 jars. The jars contained chemical compounds indicative of wine, as well as subtle differences in ingredients or additives such as honey and cedar oil.

No cookie-cutter divorces, so what info should online co-parenting classes offer?

A University of Illinois researcher recommends online co-parenting classes be tailored to individual family needs, addressing emotional support and conflict resolution. The course should also cover less discussed topics like introducing a new partner to children and sex education, and provide resources for parents with limited vocabulary.

Photodynamic therapy vs. cryotherapy for actinic keratoses

A meta-analysis of four studies found that photodynamic therapy (PDT) is more effective than cryotherapy in clearing actinic keratoses (AKs), a common skin lesion caused by sun damage. At three months after treatment, patients treated with PDT had a 14% better chance of complete lesion clearance compared to those who received cryotherapy.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Serotonin transporter is a mifepristone pharmacological target

The serotonin transporter is a crucial pharmacological target of antidepressants, and mifepristone has been shown to inhibit its activity. The study demonstrates that mifepristone directly inhibits the serotonin transporter, suggesting its potential as a treatment for psychotic depression.

Gang life brings deep health risks for girls

A study of 188 African American females found that gang involvement is associated with high-risk behaviors such as casual sex partners, substance abuse, and HIV testing. Low self-esteem, emotional problems, and housing instability are also linked to a higher likelihood of gang involvement.

How to prevent organic food fraud

Researchers from the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority and Wuerzburg University devised a new way to authenticate organic produce. Their report uses nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to differentiate between conventional and organic tomatoes.

Self-deceived individuals deceive others better

A study by Newcastle University and the University of Exeter found that self-deceived individuals are viewed as more talented by their colleagues and are more likely to get promotions. This can lead to overestimation of others' abilities, increased risk-taking, and potentially disastrous consequences for organizations.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Witnessing the early growth of a giant

Astronomers have discovered a compact galactic core, nicknamed Sparky, which is seen as it appeared 11 billion years ago. The infant galaxy contains twice as much mass as the Milky Way and is producing 300 stars per year, a rate three times faster than our galaxy.

Fighting prostate cancer with a tomato-rich diet

A study of 1,806 men with prostate cancer found that those consuming high amounts of tomatoes and lycopene had an 18% lower risk of developing the disease. Men are advised to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight, and stay active to reduce their risk.

Snowfall in a warmer world

A new MIT study suggests that extreme snow events will still occur even in a future with significant warming. In some regions, such as the Northern Hemisphere, average snowfall may decrease, but snowfall extremes intensify.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Happy Camp and July Fire Complexes in California

As of August 27, the Happy Camp Complex and July Fire Complexes have consumed over 60,000 acres of land in Northern California. The fire season has been exacerbated by hot and dry conditions, with multiple fires still spreading.

Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center awarded $18 million grant

The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center has been awarded an $18 million grant to continue its groundbreaking research and provide high-quality patient care. The center, led by Dr. Stephen Emerson, is recognized as one of the top cancer centers in New York City and the country.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Group identity emphasized more by those who just make the cut

A new study published in Psychological Science found that individuals and institutions tend to highlight their marginal membership in high-status groups, leading to a boost in self-image and projecting an impressive image to others. This phenomenon was observed in universities, airports, and even socioeconomic group membership.

CWRU astronomers win time on Hubble to study galaxy formation

Case Western Reserve University astronomers will study the outskirts of spiral galaxy M101 using Hubble Space Telescope data. The research aims to determine how galaxies form over time, with findings that could challenge current understanding of galaxy formation.

A prescription for better stroke care

Researchers found that giving a prescription to stroke patients before discharge increases short- and long-term stroke prevention by 70% and 40% respectively. The study suggests simple interventions like handing over prescriptions can improve patient care.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Wolves susceptible to yawn contagion

Researchers found that wolves experience yawn contagion, with stronger social bonds increasing frequency, and females reacting faster than males to close associates' yawns. The results suggest a common ancestral trait of contagious yawning among mammals, revealing an emotional connection between individuals.

The roots of human altruism

A study led by Judith Burkart reveals that human altruism is linked to cooperative breeding among primate species, where young are cared for by multiple group members. This behavior, not associated with advanced cognitive skills or social tolerance, may have contributed to human exceptional cognition.

NASA telescopes uncover early construction of giant galaxy

Astronomers have observed the earliest stages of massive galaxy construction, dubbed 'Sparky', which contains about twice as many stars as our Milky Way. The discovery was made possible through combined observations from NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes.

Xenon exposure shown to erase traumatic memories

Researchers at McLean Hospital found that xenon gas can reduce memories of traumatic events, potentially treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other memory-related disorders. The study used an animal model to demonstrate the effectiveness of xenon in blocking fear responses for up to two weeks.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Scientist uncovers red planet's climate history in unique meteorite

Researchers at Florida State University analyzed an ancient Martian meteorite to determine the Red Planet's climate history. The team found evidence of a dramatic climate shift dating back 4.4 billion years, suggesting Mars has been cold and dry for at least 1.7 billion years.

Veld Fires in South Africa

South Africa is experiencing its 'Cape Fire Season' with high veld fire danger ratings expected in the north-western interior and along the coast. Prolonged drought and warm, dry winds are fueling the fires, which also pose a risk to farmland and yearly food production.

Orion rocks! Pebble-size particles may jump-start planet formation

Researchers using the Green Bank Telescope have found pebble-size particles near the Orion Nebula, a potential new class of interstellar particles that could aid planet formation. These dense ribbons of rocky material may represent a mid-size class of particles, with sizes up to a centimeter across.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

NASA's TRMM satellite sees powerful towering storms in Cristobal

Heavy rainfall and intense convective storms were detected by NASA's TRMM satellite in Hurricane Cristobal, with some storms reaching heights of over 9.3 miles and generating heavy rain. The storm is expected to become a powerful extra-tropical cyclone over the North Atlantic by Friday.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Flexing the brain: Why learning tasks can be difficult

Scientists found that brain activity patterns are shaped by neural connectivity and have limitations on how adaptable they are during learning. The study used a brain-computer interface to train animals and showed that subjects learned easier-to-learn patterns more readily, while harder-to-learn patterns were entirely new.

Neuroscientists watch imagination happening in the brain

Researchers distinguish pure imagination from related processes like remembering using MRI experiments, finding distinctive brain activity patterns. The study contributes to the debate over whether memory and imagination are separate processes.

Bundled approach to reduce surgical site infections in colorectal surgery

A multidisciplinary program that incorporated best practices across perioperative care phases significantly reduced superficial surgical site infections (SSIs) and postoperative sepsis. The bundled approach improved patient outcomes but had no significant impact on deep SSIs, length of stay, or readmission rates.

Scientists map the 'editing marks' on fly, worm, human genomes

Comprehensive maps of epigenetic marks reveal patterns for safe restoration and provide a framework for testing disease models and drug candidates. These findings hold promise for diagnosing and treating diseases caused by gene expression deregulation, including cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Lifetime of fitness: A fountain of youth for bone and joint health?

Research suggests that comprehensive fitness and nutrition regimens can minimize bone and joint health decline and maintain overall physical health in seniors. The study recommends individualized exercise programs with resistance, endurance, flexibility, and balance training, as well as proper nutrition to optimize performance.

Protected areas proven to protect biodiversity

Researchers from Monash University and international collaborators analyzed past 30 years of research to determine the impact of protected areas on biodiversity. The study found that these areas generally have larger plant and animal populations and more species than adjacent non-protected areas.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Southwest may face 'megadrought' this century

A study by Cornell University and the U.S. Geological Survey warns that the Southwest US is at risk of a 'megadrought', with a 50% chance of a decade-long drought and 20-50% chance of a drought lasting over 30 years

Satellite shows Hurricane Marie about to swallow Karina

Hurricane Marie is expected to swallow Tropical Depression Karina, which is being drawn into the powerful circulation of the hurricane. Karina's maximum sustained winds have dropped to 30 mph (45 kph), weakening the depression as it moves southeast at 6 mph (9 kph).

In sync and in control?

A study by UCLA social scientists found that men who march in unison with others perceive a potential foe as smaller and less intimidating, leading to increased feelings of power and aggression. The researchers theorize that this phenomenon may be an evolutionary adaptation that favors individuals moving in coordination with groups.